Fwd: Re: [chairs] How to handle applicants and disclosures re TC participation

[James Bryce Clark <jamie.clark@oasis-open.org>]

>>Hi Jamie,
>>How should "read-only" access to proceedings be interpreted regarding 
>>calls/meetings - may observers attend but not speak?   How about 
>>applicants who haven't been approved yet?
>>Thanks. Regards, Diane
>>IBM  Emerging Internet Software Standards
>
>     Hi Diane.  Observers can't speak at TC meetings because the process 
> says so explicitly, in Section 1(n) at 
> http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.php#definitions: 
> "'Observer' is an Eligible Person who is subscribed to the TC email list, 
> and may attend TC meetings, but is not allowed to participate in TC email 
> list discussions, participate or speak in TC meetings, or make 
> Contributions to the TC. The process for becoming an Observer is defined 
> in section 2.4."
>
>     The rule's intent likely was to make sure that nonmembers (who have 
> no IPR obligation as to that TC) don't infect the TC's work with IPR not 
> subject to the OASIS IPR Policy rule protections.
>
>     Someone who has applied ("applicant") but has not been approved (and 
> thus become a "member" or "prospective member") has the same rights as an 
> observer.  Of course any OASIS member (observer or otherwise) should be 
> able to attend a TC meeting, subject to availability of physical 
> resources ... for example, we might run out of phone ports on a call, or 
> reservation space for an F2F.  * * * And of course all output and 
> proceedinsgs of all TCs are archived publicly.  So while we are keeping 
> non-TC-members from *contributing*, we are not keeping them from watching.
>      Regards JBC